Boosting Open-Label Placebo Effects in Acute Induced Pain in Healthy Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, BASEL, SWITZERLAND · Apr 5, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how a special type of treatment called "open-label placebo" (OLP) can help reduce acute pain. In this study, researchers will create a controlled pain experience to see how effective the OLP is in managing that pain. Participants will receive an injection of the placebo, which they will be made aware of, and the study will explore how long the pain relief lasts and how it can be adjusted for different people.

To join the study, you must be a healthy adult between 18 and 65 years old, with a body mass index (BMI) within a specific range. It’s important that you can understand the study's details and give your permission to participate. You will not be eligible if you have certain health conditions, like chronic pain or psychiatric disorders, or if you take medications that might affect how you feel pain. If you choose to participate, you can expect to go through two parts of the trial, where your responses to the treatment will be carefully monitored.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy volunteers (ASA Class I or II), aged 18 to 65 years
• • BMI between 18 and 25kg/m2
• • Able to understand the study and the NRS
• • Able to give informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participation in a previous open-label placebo study; for Part 2, this includes Part 1 of this study
• • Regular intake of medications or drugs potentially interfering with pain sensation (analgesics, opioids, antihistamines, calcium and potassium channel blockers, serotonin/ noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, corticosteroids)
• • Neuropathy
• • Chronic pain
• • Neuromuscular disease
• • Dermatological disease (i.e. Atopic Dermatitis)
• • Psychiatric disease
• • Pregnancy / Lactation